Xiaomi 12 Back Glass Replacement
Complete guide to Xiaomi 12 back glass replacement. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.
🌍 Share Your Environmental Impact
Inspire others to repair instead of replace! Share how much CO₂ you're saving.
💰 Cost Breakdown
💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.
🔧 Repair Overview
Back Glass Replacement is one of the most common repairs for Xiaomi 12. This repair involves replacing the damaged housing component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 1-3 hours and requires difficult skill level.
What You'll Need
- Replacement housing part (OEM or aftermarket)
- Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
- Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
- Adhesive strips or glue
- Clean workspace with good lighting
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Loosen the rear glass adhesive
Allow your phone's battery to fully drain before starting repairs. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged during the repair.
Unplug any cables and fully shut down your phone.
A [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Hair+Dryer+to+Soften+Adhesive/157348|new_window=true|hair dryer], [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|heat gun|new_window=true], or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
Step 2: Insert an opening pick
The adhesive securing the rear glass is strong, and creating a gap requires significant force. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
If your rear glass is badly cracked, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Tape+Over+a+Cracked+Phone+Screen/140533|covering it with a layer of clear packing tape|new_window=true] may allow the suction handle to adhere. Alternatively, [link|https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/NgVMfmOgJwEalMFF.full|new_window=true|very strong tape] may be used instead of the suction handle. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction handle to the broken rear glass.
Apply a suction handle to the center of the rear glass's bottom edge, as close to the edge as possible.
Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a gap between the rear glass and frame.
Insert an opening pick where the charging port is located.
Step 3: Slice the bottom edge adhesive
During the following steps, don't insert your pick more than 4 mm to avoid damaging internal components.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner of the rear glass to slice its adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 4: Insert a second opening pick
Insert a second opening pick at the bottom right corner and slide it to the bottom left corner of the rear glass to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 5: Slice the left edge adhesive
If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, apply your [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|new_window=true|iOpener] for 1–2 minutes or use a [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Hair+Dryer+to+Soften+Adhesive/157348|new_window=true|hair dryer] or [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|new_window=true|heat gun] to reheat it.
Insert a third opening pick under the bottom left corner of the rear glass.
Slide the opening pick along the left edge of the rear glass to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 6: Slice the top edge adhesive
Insert a fourth opening pick under the top left corner of the rear glass.
Slide the opening pick along the top edge of the phone to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 7: Slice the right edge adhesive
Insert a fifth opening pick under the top right corner of the rear glass and slide it to the bottom right corner to slice the remaining adhesive.
Step 8: Remove the rear glass
Remove the rear glass.
If the rear glass is still stuck to the frame, slide an opening pick around the entire perimeter until the rear glass separates completely.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
During reassembly, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Pre-Cut+Adhesive+Sheet/113604|new_window=true|secure the rear glass with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided tape] after cleaning the relevant areas with high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and a lint-free cloth.
After installing the rear glass, apply strong, steady pressure to your phone for several minutes to help the adhesive form a good bond—a stack of heavy books works well.
📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
iFixit Difficulty: Moderate | Time: NaNh NaNm
DIY vs Professional Repair
✋ DIY Repair
- ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $42-$108)
- ✅ Learn new skills
- ❌ Risk of further damage
- ❌ No warranty
- ❌ Requires tools and time
🔧 Professional Repair
- ✅ Expert installation
- ✅ Warranty included
- ✅ Faster turnaround
- ❌ Higher cost ($70-$180)
- ❌ Need to find reputable shop
Environmental Impact
By choosing to repair your Xiaomi 12 instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 54 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new Xiaomi 12 generates 60 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 6 kg of CO₂. That's a 90% reduction in carbon emissions!
Get a Personalized Repair Estimate
Upload a photo of your Xiaomi 12 and get an AI-powered cost estimate in seconds. See exactly what's damaged and how much it'll cost to fix.